Halifax Regional Police Cadet Recruitment

Yes, YOU!

Become a police officer with Halifax Regional Police.

**The application deadline for the 2019 Police Science Program was September 1 at midnight. The competition is now closed.

Halifax Regional Police is recruiting for its 2019 Police Science Program. The HRP Police Science Program will prepare cadets to become police officers with Halifax Regional Police. Cadets who successfully complete the program will be offered employment with HRP.

Who should apply

If you’re compassionate, community minded, wise, resilient and willing to contribute everyday to the wellbeing of people in our communities, even in some of the worst circumstances, we hope you apply.

Halifax Regional Police is committed to being reflective of the diverse communities we serve. As a group, Halifax Regional Police includes officers from the community and aims to be diverse in sexual orientations, gender, gender identity and expression, races, experiences, beliefs, ages, and faiths. This is how we can best contribute to all people’s wellbeing and safety. We are recruiting people who reflect and appreciate diversity.

How do I apply?

Applications will only be accepted online. See Applicant Requirements and Application & Selection Process below for specific details. Please read all the information carefully and thoroughly.

Application deadline

Questions?

Prospective applicants who meet our minimum requirements and have questions either prior to application or while completing their application are invited to contact the Halifax Regional Police Recruiting Team by email at hrprecruiting@halifax.ca or on Twitter @HRP_recruiting. **The recruiting team will respond to your message within two business days.

Applicant requirements

We’re looking for people who put people first and extend respect, value integrity, believe in the power of relationships, and trust in open, honest and constructive communication to join Halifax Regional Police.

You must also:

Be at least 19 years of age.

Be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident.

Have completed grade 12 with academic courses in English and math, or a GED with a minimum of two years’ life experience, including employment, education, training or other productive organizational experience that demonstrates a significant contribution to society.

Have no criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted and have no criminal charges pending before the courts.

If you’re not sure about applying, please attend one of our information sessions or contact the HRP Recruiting Team. Don’t allow myths and stereotypes to hold you back from applying. Yes, you can become a police officer!

Application and selection process

The Halifax Regional Police application and selection process involves 12 stages. The recruitment standards are high and the selection process is challenging, but fair and achievable. Applicants must be successful in each stage before they can proceed to the next stage of the competition; not all applicants will proceed through all 12 stages.

Stage 1 - Apply

Applications must be received online by midnight, September 1, 2018. Your application must include:

Stage 2 – Screening

A selection committee will review all information submitted by the applicant and determine if the applicant meets the minimum requirements to proceed to the next stage of the selection process. Candidates will be notified in writing.

Stage 3 – Cognitive ability test

Candidates will have a pre-determined time frame to complete a cognitive ability test. There are many resources online and in print to help prepare for the cognitive ability test.

Stage 4 - Physical ability requirement evaluation (PARE)

The PARE is a standardized occupational test used to measure an applicant’s ability to perform the physical demands of police work. The test is used in the selection process of Halifax Regional Police applicants and as part of the completion criteria for cadets in the HRP Police Science Program. Applicants must complete the PARE obstacle course and the pushing and pulling task in 4 minutes, 45 seconds (4:45) to be eligible to progress to the next stage of the selection process. To adequately prepare to take the PARE test, Halifax Regional Police encourages all applicants to take part in some type of training program and to strive for an average, to above average, level of fitness prior to attempting the test. You can access hundreds of programs through the internet and local fitness trainers in your area.

Stage 5 – Suitability assessment

Candidates will be reviewed in the suitability assessment.

Stage 6 – Pre-employment polygraph booklet review

Candidates will be issued a pre-employment polygraph booklet to complete and return to Human Resources. Human Resources will review your pre-employment polygraph booklet; there may be disclosures that would not make you a candidate for the pre-employment polygraph (Stage 8).

Stage 7 – Interview

Candidates will participate in a competency based panel interview for which candidates will be provided materials to prepare. The interview is designed to allow candidates to draw on examples from their work or life experience to demonstrate that they possess the necessary competencies to be a member of Halifax Regional Police. The Halifax Regional Police key competencies are: adaptability, ethical accountability and responsibility, interactive communication, organizational awareness, problem solving, risk management, stress tolerance, teamwork and written skills.

Stage 8 – Pre-employment polygraph

Pre-employment polygraphs are conducted by a polygraph examiner who will review the questions and responses provided in your pre-employment polygraph booklet and explain how the polygraph instrument is used. He will then ask you to participate in an examination wherein you are asked a selection of questions while monitored by the sensors of the polygraph instrument. After a polygraph is completed, the examiner will submit a report to Human Resources.

Stage 9 – Medical exam

Candidates must undergo a medical exam to determine if they meet the medical standards set by Halifax Regional Police and Province of Nova Scotia. Medical exams will be coordinated by the candidate’s family physician and forwarded to Halifax Regional Police’s designated physician for review and approval. This stage will determine any physical problems which may interfere with the candidate’s ability to meet the occupational requirements of an officer with Halifax Regional Police. The medical assessment consists of a physical examination, urine test, blood work, a chest x-ray and an EKG.
In addition, hearing and vision tests will be completed and will formulate part of the overall medical assessment.

Stage 10 – Background investigation

Candidates will be thoroughly investigated to determine their suitability to be a police officer. Candidates' family and friends may be contacted and/or visited during this stage. Results of Halifax Regional Police background investigations will not be released and remain the sole property of Halifax Regional Police. Also, as part of this stage, candidates will be required to submit a current motor vehicle driver's abstract.

Stage 11 – Psychological testing

Candidates must undergo psychological testing to determine their suitability to be a police officer. Candidates who advance to this stage will be provided with an appointment by Halifax Regional Police Human Resources to meet with their designated psychologist. The result of the psychological testing will be made available to Human Resources and formulate part of their holistic review of a candidate.

Stage 12 – Police Science Program

Successful applicants will be enrolled in the 2019 HRP Police Science Program. Candidates who successfully complete the Police Science Program will be offered employment with Halifax Regional Police.

Halifax Regional Police cadet training - Police Science Program

Applicants who successfully progress through the application process will complete a 38-week practical training program through Halifax Regional Police: the HRP Police Science Program. The tuition for the program is $10,000. Upon successful completion of this program, cadets will be offered employment with Halifax Regional Police.

Salary and benefits

Halifax Regional Police offers salaries that are competitive with all mid to large size municipal police services in the country. They are on a graduated scale, based on years of service. The annual constable base salary ranges from $59,155.59 to $98,592.64 (as of April 1, 2018).

Halifax Regional Police through the Halifax Regional Police Association provides a great benefits package to employees and their families. Paid vacation, medical and dental insurance, life insurance, professional development opportunities and employee assistance programs are just a sample of what we offer to improve quality of life and well-being for our employees.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is the deadline to apply?

Q. Does having a degree or certificate program advance me further in the recruitment process?

A. We consider having a degree or a certificate to be an additional asset. Although the knowledge and skills acquired through obtaining a degree or a certificate may help you in particular stages of the competition, in and of itself it isn't a determining factor in advancing you through the process.

Q. How soon after I submit my application will I be notified to write the cognitive ability test?

A. We will be reviewing applications on a biweekly basis. If you've been selected to proceed to the testing phase, we'll contact you to let you know when we'll be conducting testing.

Q. Can I work or attend school during the Police Science Program?

A. The HRP Police Science Program is a full-time training program with varied hours. While it is possible for cadets to maintain part time employment while enrolled in the Police Science Program, we recommend against this.

Q. Will I have a job when I am done my training?

A. After you have successfully completed the Police Science Program, which includes a field training assessment, you will be offered employment with HRP.

Q. Is there a cost to apply?

A. There is no application fee. There is however a tuition fee of $10,000 for the HRP Police Science Program.

Q. Where will the training be held?

A. The HRP Police Science Program will be held in Halifax. If you live outside of Halifax and would be moving to the city to attend the program, please contact hrprecruiting@halifax.ca for housing resources.

Q. How long is the HRP Police Science Program?

A. The HRP Police Science Program is a 38-week, full-time training program that will be held in 2019 in Halifax. The training program prepares cadets for employment with Halifax Regional Police.

Q. Will the HRP Police Science Program prepare me for employment with any other police service?

A. The HRP Police Science Program prepares cadets for employment with Halifax Regional Police. The training program, although recognized by the Province of Nova Scotia, may not be recognized by other agencies across Canada. You would have to check with individual police services.

Q. What are the vision standards?

Vision standards for Halifax Regional Police officers:

Uncorrected vision: must not be less than 6/18 (20/60) in each eye OR 6/12 (20/40) in one eye and at least 6/30 (20/100) in the other.

Corrected vision: must be correctable to 6/6 (20/20) in one eye and 6/9 (20/30) in the other.

Colour vision: any standardized pseudo-isochromatic plates (Ishihara, A-O, HRR, Dvorine) can be used. Testing is to be done without the candidate using any colour correcting aids, such as coloured contact lenses. If candidates correctly identify all patterns presented in such tests, their colour-vision will be considered normal and will meet the standards.

Visual Fields: vision of 140 degrees in each eye in the horizontal plane and the absence of scotoma (Normal/Abnormal).

Laser Surgery: candidate has not had corrective surgery for a full three months prior to the examination. PRK and Laser corrective surgery is acceptable.